Republicans and the Disabled
By Opalina143
@opalina143 (1240)
Morristown, New Jersey
September 12, 2009 9:22pm CST
I have noticed that there are a lot of Republican politicians on the news lately talking about how Obama's plans are to ration health care so that the disabled and elderly are denied procedures that they need. It makes me wonder- how many of the people who are repeating these accusations remember what MCCAIN would have done to the disabled?
I am disabled, and I am concerned about health insurance, so I remember listening very closely when McCain discussed his health care plan, as well as listening to what local and state disability advocates were saying- and they were raising MANY alarm bells.
In case I am accused of being biased, I am taking the following from a Pro-McCain article entitled "Why McCain has the best health care plan" from Fortune Magazine at http://money.cnn.com/2008/03/10/news/economy/tully_healthcare.fortune/
Direct quote starts here:
"The problem with McCain's approach - and it is a huge problem - is that McCain ventures so far toward total laissez-faire liberty that he risks leaving the poor and sick behind. Here's why. Perhaps his most drastic proposal is allowing the same insurance products to be sold across state lines. That seems to make sense, and maybe it does: Look what interstate banking has done for pricing and choice in financial services. But in health care, the upheaval would be so brutal that it scares even the most ardent free-marketer. Many states have some form of what policy wonks call "community rating." Under pure community rating, insurers must charge all customers the same premium no matter whether they're 20 or 55, or whether they have cancer or are models of good health. McCain is targeting community rating for good reason. It forces the young and healthy to pay far more than their actual cost by making them subsidize the elderly and sick. Like the mandated benefits, it's pushed millions of Americans in their 20s to drop their health insurance.
But under the McCain plan, states with no restrictions - Pennsylvania, for example - could sell policies for 25-year-olds that cost around $1,200 a year, one-third the price in New York. Young New Yorkers would drop their plans in favor of Pennsylvania providers, forcing New York insurers to jack up premiums for people in their 50s or early 60s, who need those rich, community-rated plans that cover as many procedures as possible - but who no longer benefit from the excessive premiums paid by the youngsters. It gets worse. Anyone with cancer, diabetes, or other pre-existing conditions will see their premiums multiply too.
To his credit, McCain does have a plan for relatively young, low-income Americans who can't afford insurance. "We would increase the tax credit according to income so that poor families could buy insurance," says Douglas Holtz-Eakin, McCain's policy director. But McCain sorely lacks a plan for people in their 50s without corporate benefits, and Americans with pre-existing conditions, who would be brutally stripped of coverage if insurance crosses state lines. "
Pre-existing conditions= American's with disibilities. Even this pro-McCain source admits that the disabled will be "brutally stripped of their coverage" DIRECT QUOTE
So why are so many Republicans who supported MCCain so concerned about the disabled? The politicians are promoting business as usual for the rich. The average Joe republicans are following along like sheep. Why do the same politicians who would have thrown the disabled under the bus now seem so concerned about them now?
4 people like this
8 responses
@maryihla (103)
• United States
13 Sep 09
During his tenure, our part-time Republican governor Tim Pawlenty has eliminated state health care programs for over 34,000 Minnesotans. Now he threatens to use the 10th Amendment to opt out of health insurance reform, thus denying us access to quality, affordable health care.
Instead of welcoming debate, Republicans have sent protestors to disrupt productive discussions of health care reform, while refusing to hold their own town hall meetings. The imfamous Michele Bachmann, who I am ashamed to admit represents my district, only took questions that had been pre-screened by her staff.
Obstructionist tactics and misinformation from the Republicans has done little to help those of us struggling with high premiums, inadequate coverage, or denial of coverage.
It's a travesty that the finest country in the world cares so little for it's citizens that health care is available only for the rich and the able.
3 people like this
@irishidid (8687)
• United States
13 Sep 09
The same thing was done in Missouri. They took it to court and medicaid was re-established. It was a bad move.
I believe there needs to be a safety net. Medicaid is not being handled right and never has been. I fault both parties.
The worst Kansas governor ever is now the Health and Human Services Secretary. She almost bankrupted the state. Now she may bankrupt health care. May god help us.
3 people like this
@irishidid (8687)
• United States
13 Sep 09
Neither party has done right by the disabled for years. I cringe every time legislature that affects the disabled comes up because it never makes things better, just more difficult.
As far as laissez-faire liberty goes, why is that such a bad thing? We keep telling you if the businesses have the money they are more likely to hire. If business is good there is better chance they will provide, not only jobs, but benefits including health insurance.
2 people like this
@ParaTed2k (22940)
• Sheboygan, Wisconsin
13 Sep 09
Why do you think Obama and McCain's health care "reform" would be any different? Neither have any interest in fixing anything, both are out to bring more power to themselves and government.
The only difference between a McCain administration and the Obama administration would be the speed in which they bring socialism to the US.
1 person likes this
@ParaTed2k (22940)
• Sheboygan, Wisconsin
14 Sep 09
Yup, they are both bought and paid for. Niether major party gives a flying flip about the Constitution, the rights of the people or anything else.
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
14 Sep 09
What I've been realizing is both parties are beholden to big corporations, just not always the SAME big corporations! I saw a speech John McCain gave a week or so ago where he mentioned - rightly so - about President Obama "making a deal" with the pharmaceutical companies so there would be no negotiations for lower prices. I guess that's one business the Democrats "trust" to do the right thing, right? On the other hand McCain mentioned tort reform and pretty much blamed the malpractice problem totally on trial lawyers. Sure, I'm not denying there are some "ambulance chaser" type attorneys and there are frivolous lawsuits and excessive awards given and that should be regulated without hurting people with legitimate suits who have been seriously injured or even killed due to negligent or careless health professionals. However, there was no mention of the malpractice insurance companies who charge outrageous premiums even to GOOD doctors who have never had a claim against them. In the whole health care debate it seems the Democrats demonize the insurance companies while the GOP defends them to the fullest, there is no happy medium. I guess the bottom line is both parties are guilty to some extent of being more concerned about pi$$ing off their highest campaign donors than the people who hired them and pay their salaries. It's very sad when there are people who are more worried about insurance companies losing profits and their CEO's losing their huge bonuses than about average Americans losing their home or their LIVES!
Annie
@Rollo1 (16679)
• Boston, Massachusetts
13 Sep 09
Competition doesn't force companies to jack up prices, it forces them to adjust prices in order to be able to be competitive and stay in business. Obama bemoaned the choice in one state of only 3 health insurers, which is a bit disingenuous, since it is the government which disallows other companies from doing business in that state.
If someone is undercutting your prices, you had better find a way to lower your prices or you lose all your business, that's just common sense.
And, this is an opinion piece. So there is no proof of anyone being brutally stripped of coverage, it is a projection from the author of this article.
1 person likes this
@rogue13xmen13 (14402)
• United States
13 Sep 09
Obviously, you have never been in a situation where your health care coverage was at risk, or you lost your health care coverage because if you were you would not being saying many of the things that you are saying right now. What about the people losing jobs? You don't think that they are being "brutally stripped" of their insurance? What about people who are being cut from their parent's insurance or a spouse's insurance? You do not think that they are being "brutally stripped" of their insurance as well? Define your definition of "brutally stripped of coverage", Rollo.
1 person likes this
@BlueGoblin (1829)
• United States
13 Sep 09
There are a million reasons why a lot of Republicans didn't throw their support behind McCain. Most conservatives and libertarians didn't care for him. I'm one person that said Obama was the better choice. My only question was "Obama and McCain--these are our choices?" Stop thinking in terms of Democrats and Republicans. I definitely don't consider myself a Republican. I share many of the same opinions of the right. However, I share very little in common with the average Republican. I'm sure you heard of neocon or neoconservatism. Well this not the type of conservatism I adhere to.
1 person likes this
@jebbbbzzzdebebz (210)
• United States
13 Sep 09
Most republicans care about the interests of the elderly and the disabled more than the rights of other minority demographics (probably because most of republicans ARE elderly, lolz).
Not that he's representative of the entire republican party, but it was George Bush Sr. who signed the Americans with Disabilities Act. Just something to think about.
1 person likes this
@rogue13xmen13 (14402)
• United States
13 Sep 09
That is how I always feel about the Republicans. They do not care about the disabled, and people with debilitating health conditions. Did Bush try to solve our health care problem? No. Did he ever bring up health care? Hardly, if bringing it up at all.
McCain did not have a smart solution, he had a solution that was going to do far more harm than good. Obama is doing his best to come up with a solution that is going to work for everyone, but so many people fear his solution. Why? Is is because health care insurance companies can lose money? It is all about the money, isn't it? Health care is not free and cannot be free, right? Everyone has to pay for health care, right? What about those of us who can pay, but are still being told that we cannot have health care? Hmm? What are the Republicans willing to offer? What is their great solution that is going to please everyone?
Health care is a business in the United States. People with pre-existing health conditions, like myself, I have Asthma, do not get health care, or if we do get coverage, it is not very much. I have Asthma, and I have Kaiser, but I will be losing my insurance in four months. I have been told that I will not get coverage again after I lose what I have because I have Asthma. Insurance companies only want to cover healthy people, they do not want to take care of the sick. Health care in the US is a joke.
1 person likes this
@BStuff (495)
• United States
13 Sep 09
This is a beautiful disscussion. I must say that I'm very happy that the government has finally taken a lonmg hard look at our health care system and all its many flaws. No plan will be perfect but a step in the right direction needs to be taken.
Regarding your topic people have a tendency to only see the lines they want to while bluring the bad parts. This is all throughout life for most people. I do it often with different things. Thank you for bringing this topic up to show no ones perfect.
1 person likes this